Louise Sauvage is recognised and acknowledged for her unique athleticism and outstanding success as a wheelchair track and road athlete.
Current work
Louise has completed a Post Graduate in Applied Science (Coaching) and is now employed by the NSW Institute of Sport with the National Wheelchair Track and Road Program as an Assistant National Coach working with Australia's future champions.
Previous experience
At age 18 Louise declared that she was to become a professional athlete and would earn a living from her sport. 15 years later she defied those doubting her and retired as one of Australia's most successful athletes. Along the way Louise has changed the perception of elite athletes with a disability and the sports they compete in. She has helped create awareness, education and acceptance of disability in general in the eyes and minds of the media and the public.
Louise dominated the sport of wheelchair track and road racing during her career winning a total of nine gold and four silver medals from four Paralympic Games. She represented Australian at three Olympic Games winning two gold and one bronze in the 800m women's wheelchair demonstration race – the highlight – Gold in front of 110,000 spectators in her home town at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Louise is a Commonwealth Games Silver medalist and five time gold medalist at the IAAF World Athletic Championships. She recorded world records in every distance on the track from 100m to 5000m and has first place victories in some of the worlds most prestigious road races including four Boston Marathon titles.
Talking Points
From a childhood introduction to sport to four Paralympic Games and a lifetime of coaching
Louise shares a story of resilience, reinvention and what it takes to keep going when the odds say otherwise.From a childhood introduction to sport to four Paralympic Games and a lifetime of coaching
What your audience will experience:
Louise takes audiences on a personal journey, from her earliest days in sport to the biggest stages in the world. Honest, funny and deeply motivating, her keynote leaves people with practical lessons they can take straight back to their teams, their workplaces and their own goals.
Keynote highlights:
- Her story: An open and personal look at living with her disability and how it shaped her mindset
- Finding sport: How she was introduced to sport growing up, and how it changed everything
- Four Paralympics: Her journey from first-timer to representing Australia at four Paralympic Games
- Sydney 2000: The inside story of racing at a home Olympics, then a home Paralympics, including a 2-minute video of the Olympic race that brings the moment to life
20+ years as a coach: What she’s learned guiding the next generation of athletes
- The road to 2032: Where sport for athletes with a disability is heading as Australia looks ahead to another home Games
We are incredibly grateful to Louise for sharing her remarkable experiences with us at our recent Executive Leaders Conference 2024. Louise's presentation was not only inspiring but deeply e ... keep reading National Disability Services
